1. Educator Autonomy Working Group
February Meeting
Agenda
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Rhode Island Department of Education
80 Washington Street/255 Westminster Street, Providence
Room 501
Guiding Principles for Our Work:
Student learning and success is paramount.
Educators (teachers, school and district administrators) want what is
best for students.
Decisions should be made as close to the student as is practical and
effective.
Objectives for this Meeting:
Examine how autonomy is being applied in other states
Discuss implications of preliminary research on identifying autonomy
issues for Rhode Island
Continue to build relationships among all members and further
understand their perspectives on autonomy
4:30 – 4:45 Welcome and Reflections
Pat Page – Co-chair of the Educator Autonomy Working Group
Reflections from our last meeting – Perspectives gained in the forced
field analysis and how they apply to the meeting today
4:45 – 5:30
Explore an Example of an Autonomous School
Listen to an overview of an example of an autonomous school
Using a graphic organizer, individually note features of autonomy that
resonate with the group’s work
Break into groups of 3 and discuss the features you individually
identified and discuss and identify the implications for what this means
for autonomy in Rhode Island
Share implications in the large group
Identify the themes/issues that emerged across the work group
5:30 – 6:00 Review of Research & Information on Autonomy
Kathy Bendheim will provide an overview of emerging research on
educator autonomy and general themes identified for consideration by
the work group
Reactions: Questions and issues that this information has for the
group’s work

2. 6:00 – 6:15 Identify and agree on key issues and questions
Based on work so far, what are the key issues and questions we need
to address at future meetings that would inform our recommendations
to the Governor?
What will assist us in forming a recommendation?
6:15 – 6:30 Reflections and Feedback – Complete and Exit Ticket